Please note that our next issue, scheduled for September 1, will arrive about three days early, just before the start of the annual conference of the Council of Georgist Organizations.
You can always reach the Georgist News at gn@progress.org
CONTENTS: (to return here just click the headline)
"The IU" is still the same. But its first Russian - and first woman - President took over from American Professor Robert Andelson at its 23rd Conference in Edinburgh on 12 July. Tatiana Roskoshnaya outpolled London-based Dane Ole Lefmann in a very civilised vote.
The other main news from the General Meeting of the International Georgist Union (as it is known 'for short!') is that the words "Free Trade" came close to being dropped. An indicative vote on this showed a majority of 14 to 10 in favour of dropping the phrase that makes Georgists active in the Green Movement seem such pariahs. However this would not have been enough under the constitution to cause a formal name-change, even if that had been on the agenda - which it wasn't. Retaining the name need make no real difference to the efforts of UN representatives Alanna Hartzok (absent) and Pat Aller, since they are already free not to be called 'Free Traders' if they choose.
What swung the vote for some was the realisation that Henry George himself admitted that Free Trade without *first* having Land Value Taxation was impossible, so that nobody need feel they are betraying his name by refusing to campaign actively for it in present global circumstances. Immediate Past President of the IU, Godfrey Dunkley, gave us the quote from "Protection or Free Trade."
Concessions were made in the Movement's Declaration of Human Rights to the environmentalists and gender correctors. Lefmann's lasting contribution to Georgism may prove to be the rousing statement he added to the end of his comprehensive re-draft, passed with a few changes after a two-hour debate: "We declare that THE EARTH BELONGS TO EVERYONE". A new 'short name' for a future General Meeting to consider might be "Earthrights International". Not without a lively discussion did "land" give way to "Earth" as "the common heritage of all people", and "all" (not just "men") now "have natural and equal rights in land".
Appropriately for a meeting that went on to elect as its head someone whose stirring words are so often now heard above those of the IMF and World Bank in Moscow, all reference to Communism *and* Monopolistic Capitalism have now gone from the Declaration. Their time has passed. It is time for People to inherit - and care for - their Earth.
The Center for Voting and Democracy has launched a project to gather
information on the current condition of democracy and voting in the USA.
For more information, visit this WWW site:
http://fairvote.org/library/brochure/votingrightssurvey.htm
Note that there is also printable brochure available there for free. You will find other interesting information at that site as well.
Also remember to book your hotel room by that date ($79.95 plus tax for 1-4 people in a room); the hotel phone is 412/262-3600 or 800/333-4835 and be sure to mention that you will be attending the "Georgist Conference" when you call. You must do this to receive your discount.
If you have questions or would like more information about the conference, visit http://www.progress.org/cgo or contact Sue Walton at swalton@interaccess.com
How big a majority would pay for open space?
In Russia, buying land is no longer illegal?
In America, zoning may soon no longer be affordable?
Manhattan-sized land areas of Dixie sink each year?
In Minnesota, Republicans led and enviros opposed tax reform?
Home equity is at its lowest since the 40s, and nest-returners at their
highest ever?
Tenure improves ghetto conditions?
Families are losing their urban habitat?
The rich got two and a half times richer recently?
Philadelphia's press, Ivy League college, and Realtors grok?
The WTO got one right (bad luck for Boeing)?
Religious colonists began with geonomics?
For additional information about the film, visit http://www.lifeanddebt.org
If you aren't sure whether you have seen the cat, visit http://www.progress.org/archive/fold10.htm
Anyway, Sue Walton is now issuing a call to those who want to take "seeing the cat" a step further:
"Attention All Georgist Cat owners, we'd like to have pictures of your cats (without you in the picture) for the 2001 CGO Conference. We'd also like pictures of you separately. We'd like to know your pets names & ages. The reason for all this: we have seen the Cat, so let's allow others to see our cats! Cats often don't like cars, trains & planes and hotels are not always pet friendly, so pictures will have to do. Deadline for submission: 8/15/01. Please send your pictures to: Operation: CGO CAT, c/o Walton, 1111 Church St. #405, Evanston, IL 60201."
According to publicity for the book, "the first three chapters turn neo-liberal economics to dust and the rest of the book grinds it into powder! This clears the table so the sensible plans for alleviation of poverty and peace of yours and all other progressives can be placed upon it. We will have regained our voice." That's a pretty strong claim and given the author's history of pro-Georgist views, this book deserves attention.
For a summary of the book and lots more information, including how to order a copy, visit http://www.slonet.org/~ied/flyer.html
Resources for Radicals includes a very broad range of material related to non-violent protest, and practical alternative social institutions.
Resources for Radicals is available from Toronto Action for Social Change. For more information email tasc@web.ca
For more information, visit: http://www.cued.org/2001_annual/2001start.htm
(B) Another significant conference coming to Philadelphia soon is the Economic History Association annual meeting, September 14-16. This year's theme is Finance and Economic Modernization.
For more information, visit: http://garnet.berkeley.edu/~olney/eha/
(C) TOES ("the Other Economic Summit") organizes conferences alongside the G8 Superpower Economic Summits. Over the last 12 years, many Georgists have attended and made presentations at TOES events.
Alanna Hartzok has informed us of an upcoming TOES gathering in upstate New York. The TOES Retreat is scheduled for the weekend of September 21-23, at Bailey Farms, Ossining, New York.
Tentatively, the agenda topics are:
Please visit the site, link to it, and encourage others to do so.
If you know of additional materials that would be appropriate for this new site, or have other suggestions, please tell Hanno Beck at banneker@progress.org
Don't wait for something big to occur. Start where you are, with what you
have, and that will always lead you into something greater.
- Mary Manin Morrissey